Judy Simpson, Director of Government Relations for the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), represents the music therapy profession with legislators, agencies, and coalitions on the state and federal level. Since 2005, Judy has led AMTA’s national state recognition initiative in collaboration with the Certification Board for Music Therapists. She has presented and participated in advocacy trainings and events in 30 states and has contributed to legislative and regulatory language in 41 states, supporting increased access to quality music therapy services provided by qualified board certified music therapists. In addition to her government relations work, Judy is also responsible for providing reimbursement guidance to AMTA members and music therapy consumers. She holds the professional designation of “Managed Healthcare Professional” from America’s Health Insurance Plans, (AHIP) and is the co-author of “Music Therapy Reimbursement: Best Practices and Procedures”. Prior to her work with AMTA, Judy’s 17 years of clinical experience as a board certified music therapist involved developing music therapy programs in hospital settings, including physical rehabilitation, oncology, labor and delivery, behavioral health, ICU, and general medicine.
simpson@musictherapy.org